Mara Madrigal-Weiss

Executive Director @San Diego County Office of Education

San Diego County, CA, US

I provide strategic educational leadership and drive cross-sector collaboration to strengthen student mental health, wellness, and equity across San Diego County’s school communities. I engage LEAs in statewide efforts like the Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) to expand the delivery and sustainability of school-based mental health services, including guidance on funding structures, billing systems, and workforce readiness. I oversee five core student services programs, including homeless education service, the foster youth coordinating services program, and school nursing supports. I provide human-centered coaching to managers, aligning daily operations with the SDCOE’s North Star vision of student success and well-being.With the Student Wellness and School Culture team, we lead countywide initiatives such as the Mental Health in Schools Collaborative, manage state-funded mental health capacity-building grants, and provide professional development on mental health, trauma-informed practices, and suicide prevention to staff, students, and families. In collaboration with HR and labor partners, I oversee recruitment, evaluation, and staff transitions to ensure a supported and effective workforce.Externally, I represent SDCOE on statewide policy committees, such as the CDE’s Student Mental Health Policy Workgroup, and co-lead statewide collaboratives focused on suicide prevention and wellness infrastructure. I actively advocate for school districts on issues of service access, funding equity, and program innovation, ensuring that the educational system remains a central and effective partner in California’s broader behavioral health landscape.

Point Loma Nazarene University

MA EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

National University

MA, Human Behavior

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

BA, Sociology/Psychology

PLNU

Administrative Credential, Education

Point Loma Nazarene University

M.Ed, Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services